Woodworking machine



Oct. 27, 1931. ms 1,829,313

WOODWORKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIII" r In veni or A ilomcy 06L 1931- J. J. TOMPKiNS WOODWORKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 my 2. i 47 l0 9 Inventor c 75 Tom i /fins Patented Oct. 27, 1931 PATENT OFF-ICE QJ'AIIIES TGMPKIN S, 0F HOUSTON, TEXAS WOODWO'RKING MACHINE Application file'd beoeniber This invention relates generally to woodworking machines and TIIOTQ particularly to "planeis, j'oiners and the like, and has 'for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinaiterset forth, asafety deviceor guard "for 'sliieldingthe cutting or planing element 'to prevent injury to an operator of the machine.

Another important object of the invention is to providea wood-Working machine 'of'the "character described having a saffetydevic'e or guard 'W'hic h'is normally disposed in 'operati-ve position relative to the cutting means and Whichis aotuatedhv the'work moving'to- Ward and over the cutting means to shift *the guard to inoperative position in a manner to permit the worlrto be engaged bythecutting means, the guard returning to its operative position as soon as the operation has been completed and "the work has passed'the cutting means.

Other objects of the invention are to "pro- 'vide a device'o'i 'the aiorementionedcharacter which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, e'flicien't and reliable in use 7 and which maybe manufactured-at low "cost.

All of the foregoing and still further "objects and advantages of the invention may become appsrent from a study of the follo'wing specification,taken'inconnection'with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters-oi reference'designate correspondling parts throughout "the several views, and wherein:

Fiur'e 1 is-awiew showinv-a uard in no cor-dance with'this inventi'onin sideelevation mounted in operative position 'on a joiner,

said joiner "being partiallv broken away in vertical -"longi'tu'dina'l section; Figure 2 is a vieiv in top 'plan thereof.

Figure 8 is :a fragmentary detail viewin vertical cross section taken substantially on the line ii- 311f Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows Figure 4. is -'cletai'l view in perspective of one (if the actuating levers which are operative'ly connected *to 'each of a plurality of slidable guard fingers. V I

Figure 5 is "a detail view in perspective of one of theslidable guard ifinigers.

ends by'a transverse 5, 1930. Serial Ito/500,361.

Figure :6 :is a detail view in perspective of 'one of the 'zarcuate, pivoted guards.

Figure 7 is a detall view in perspective showing one of the headed arms 1 each of whichis provided for operatively connectingp; the actuating =levers to the slidaible guard :guide and stop plate in which the actuating-- levers and the connecting'a'rms 'are'o'pcrable. Referring to the drawings-in detail, it will be seen that the reference numeral 1 designates "an elongated, horizontally'disposed 'talilo wlrich is provided with a series'of spaced,; f

ipar'allel, longitudinally extending slots 2 which are intersected adjacent "their forward opening 3 in which a cutter head 4 isop'erable, saidcutter head 'being mounted forop'eration in a housing 5 which 7 is disposed beneath the table 1. Any suit- "able supportin'g'means'mav, 'of'course, be provided for the table 1. A pivot rod'6'e'xte'nds The forward end portions 'of'the levers 7 are I 30 operable through the slots 2 andsaid 'forward *end portions terminate adjacent the cutter head 1- and above the vertical plane of said cutter head. The rear end portions of the levers 7 are downwardly ofiset with respect to the forward end portions thereof and are operable in the slots '8 of a vertically disposedp'l'ate 9 which is mounted transversely beneath the table 1.

A horizontally disposed pivot rod '10 is mountedtransversely 'beneaththe table 1 adjacent the forward "side of 'the'plate '9 and mounted 'for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the pivot rod 10 is a series of spaced arms 11 which 10 and have their lowerend portions pivotally connected to the rear end portions of a seriesofgua'rd fingers 12 as at 13. Integral heads or extensions 14 extend rearwardly from the "upper portions of the arms 11 and I transversely beneath thetab'le 1 adjacent the rear'ends'of the slots v 7 depend from said rod tions of theguard fingers ported on an inclined plate or bar 17"which otally mounted for swinging a verticalplane as at 19 in the fingers extending upwardly forwardly of the cutter header and being-operable in the' end are "operable in the slots 8 in the plate 9. I An integral lug 15 extends laterally from the free end-portion of each of the heads or ex:

tensions 1 1 for engagement by the rear end portions ofthelevers 7 for operatively connecting said levers and the arms together. As will be apparent when the forward end portions of the levers 7 are swungzdownwardly into the slots 2, the rear end portions of the levers will swing upwardly and engage the lugs 15 to swing the arms 11 'rea'rwardly,

Springs 16 are mounted on the pivot rod 10 and operatively engaged with the arms 11 for swinging said arms forwardly and thus swinging the levers 7 in the opposite direc- ,tionthrough the medium of thelugs15.

' The arms 11 constitute supportingineans for the rear endsof the guard fingers 12 as will be apparent. The forward end per- 12 are slidalolysuo extends transversely beneath the talole'l adj'acent the rear side of the transverseopening 3. -As clearly illustratedrin-the. drawing. the upper or free end portions of the slidable guard fingers 12 arefcurved. V a J oIArcuate, pivoted guard fingers 18 are pivmovement in housing 510eneaththe. cutter head 4:, said pivoted'guard 'portionsof the slots 2 Which are disposed forwardlyof thetransver'se opening 3 in the table 1. .Asillustrated to advantage inFigure 2 of the drawings. when theslidable guard fingers 12 and the pivoted guard fingers 18 are in operative positionaloovei the cutter head 4, the-free'end portionsthereof overlap and itwill further be seen thatthe guard fingers 12 and 18 are disposed in staggered relation'to each other. 'It may bewell also to call attention to the fact at thistime-that slidableguard 12 project forwardly of the forward ends of'thei levers 7 and said 'levers'7 are disposed in the vertical plane of the slidable guard fingers 12.- Springs 20' are operatively engaged with'the pivoted guard fingers 18 for yieldingly maintaining sald pivoted guard fingers 1n raisedor oper- Mativeposition,

"'5Adjacent their pivoted ends, at nd. fingers-18fareprovided with notches 21 for the reception of the stop rod 22-,which is mounted transversely 'in 'jthe housing 5 to {limit-the swinging movement ofthe guard fingers 18 under the impulse of the springs 201- "In operation, the "work iswmoved for- .1

'wardlytoward the: cutter head over the table 1 and engagesthe forwardly upwardly-inclined forward end portion of the zontal'plane of'the t ahle ,which'are thus engaged hv said forwardly levers 7 which 1." Thellevers 7 moving; work havetheir forward endpor --movem'ent oted guard fingers .portions of the a manner to "permit the work to pass. T

" rear endof the work guard fingers l8, said guard fingers tor of the machine from injury head. The slotted plate 9 constitutes'means vforllimiting the swinging movement of the levers-7 in one direction and in addition conare disposed above the horii tions swung downwardly and their rear end portions swung upwardly in a manner to swing the arms 11 rearwardly. The arms 11 in turn draw the slidable guard fingers 12 rearwardly on the inclined supporting bar 17, said slidable guard fingers 12 thus being retracted relativerto the cutter head 4 and vdisposed beneath: the horizontal plane of the table 1. As the slidable guard fingers 12 approach the limit of their rearward the forward end portions of the levers 7 enterthe slots 2 as the work passes jsaid forward end portions for engagement by the cutter head 45. The forward endof the work then engages the free ends of the piv- 18 and said guard fingers are swung downwardly through the forward slots 2 into the housing 5in J vWhen the rear end ofthe work passes the free ends'of the slidable guard fingers 12 the springs 16'. which are eperatively engaged with the arms 11 swing said arms 11 forwardly and return the slidable guard fingers 12 to raised or operative position above the 'cutter'head' 4. vThe lugs 15 engage the rear end portionsrofzthe levers7 and return sald levers 7 to raised or operative'position.

If desired. the rear end portions of the levers 7 maybe heavier than theforward end port ons for' overbalancing said forward end portions and permit the levers 7 to be re- ;turned' by; gravity to operative position as soon asithe rear; end

ofthe work has passed, the levers; When the has passed the forward endsof the slots 2 and thus freed the pivoted 18" are or. operative position i by Only the guard fingers the forward ends of returnedto raised the springs 20.

which are engaged by the forwardly moving" work" will he moved to inoperative position tojpermit the passage of the work and the engagement 'of I, said worlr with the cutter headr tl 7 The remaining guard fingers will thus remain in operative position onone or both sides of the work toinrotect the operaby the cutter stitutes a guide for retaining the levers 7 agamstlateral movement=- Of course, any

desired number of 1 the i guard i fingers and the actuating levers therefor maybe pr'ovid 20 ed and said'fin gers and leversi'nay be spaced as desired on the ta'lolel. t

It is believed that the'jmany. advantages of adevice in accordance with this invention will. he readilv' understood and althne'h the preferredembodimentsof the invention is as illustrated-and described, it is tojbe understood that changes inthe details of construcscope of the inventionas claimed,

"tion, may be had which Will fall within the area-e13 Having thu's described my invention, what I claimasnew is: r

Woodworking machine o-f the character described comprising, in combination, a table having a longitudinal slot therein and further 'ha'vinga transverse opening commuicating with'the slot, :a rotary cutter operable in the opening, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends, one end portion of the lever being operable through the slot for engagement and actuation by the work on the table, the

other end portion of the lever extending beneath the table, an arm pivot-ally mounted for swinging movement beneath the table, means operatively connecting the arm to the rear end portion o'fthe lever for engagement by said lever upon-swinging movement of the lever in one direction, a spring 'oper atively engaged withthe arm for moving said arm in the op'posite direction, a guard finger pivotally connected to the arm for actuation by said'arm and havin'g one end portion operable through the slot for disposition above the cutter, and a bar mounted transversely beneath the table for slidably supporting said *one end portion 'of the guard fingers, said means for opera'tively connecting the arm to the lever-comprising an integral head'on the arm, and a lug mounted on the head and disposed in the path of travel of the lever for engagement by said lever.

'2. A Woodworking machine of the character described comprising, in combination, a

table having a longitudinal slot therein and further having a transverse opening communicating with the slot,-a rotary cutter op-- erable in the opening, 'a lever pivoted intermediate "its ends,-one endportion of the lever being operable through the slot for engagement and actuation by the Workon the table, the other end portion of the lever extending beneath the table, an arm pivotally mounted for swinging movement beneath the table, means operatively connecting the arm to the rear-end portion "of the lever "for engagement by said lever upon swinging movement-of the lever in one direction, a spring operatively engaged with the arm for moving said arm in the'opposite direction, a guard finger pivotallyconnected to the arm for actuation by said arm 'and having one end portion operable through the slot for disposition above tl e cutter, and a bar mounted transversely beneath the table forslidably supporting said one end 'portion of the guard fingers, said means for operatively connecting the arm to the lever comprising an integral head on the arm, and Ya lugimounted on the head and disposed in the path of travel of the lever for engagement by said lever, a vertically disposed plate mounted beneath the table and having'a vertical slot therein, the rear end portion of the lever and the head extending through the slot and operable therein, said plate constituting a guide for the lever and the head.

' 3. A Woodworking machine of the character described comprising, in combination, a Work supporting table having a longitudinal slot therein and further having -a transverse opening intersecting the slot in spaced relation to the ends of the slot, a rotary cutter operable in the opening,a vertically disposed plate having a vertical beneath the table in spaced relation to one end of the first named slot, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends for swinging movement in a vertical plane and having one end portion operable through thefirst named slot for disposition above the table for engagement and actuation bythe WO'llQ'tllGOthQI end portion of the lever extending beneath the table and'operable in the slot in the plate, an arm pivota ly mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane beneath the table, a head formed integrally on the arm and operable in the slot in the plate, a lug formed integrally on the head and extending laterally therefrom anddisposed in the pathof travel of said other end portion of the lever for engagement thereby in a manner to operatively connect the arm to'the lever ior actuation by said lever upon movement of the lever in one "direction, an inclined bar mounted transversely'beneath the table adjacent the-cutter, a guard finger having one end operatively connected to the arm and its other end portion slidably supported on the bar, said other end portion of the guard finger being operable throim'h the first :named slots for disposition above the cutter, resilient means operati-vcly connected With the arm for yieldingly urging said arm in 'the'otherdirection.

4. A Woodworking machine of the character describedcomprising, in combination, a Work supporting table having a longitudinal slot therein and further having a transverse opening intersecting the slot in spaced relation to the ends of the slot, a rotary cutter operable in the opening, a vertically disposed plate having a vertical slot therein mounted beneath :the table in spaced relation to one end of the first named slot, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends for swinging movement in a vertical plane and having one end portion operable through the first named slot for disposition above the table for engagement and actuation by the Work, the other end portion of the lever extending beneath the table-and operable in the slot in the plate, an arm pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane beneath the table, a h ad formed integrally on the arm and operable in the slot in the plate, a lug and extending slot therein mounted V actuation byrsaid lever upon movement of c direction, an arcuate guardfinger pivotally mounted beneath the table and having one 7 end portion operable in the slot for disposithe lever in one direction, an inclined bar mounted transversely beneaththe table adjacent the cutter,.a guard finger having one end operatively connected to the arm and its other end portion slidably supported on thebar, said other end portion of the guard finger being operable through. the first named slots for disposition above the cutter, resilient means operatively, connected with the arm for yleldingly urging said arm 1n the other tion above the cutter, and resilient means operatively engaged with the. arcuate guard finger for y eld ngly urgmgsametoward its v operative posltlon.

v 5. A Woodworkmg machine of the charac- .--ter described comprising, in combination, at

work: supporting table having a longitudinal slot therein and furtherhaving a transverse openingintersecting the slot in spaced rela- 3 tion tothe ends of the slot, a rotary cutter operable in the opening, plate having a vertical termediate its ends for swinging movement in a vertical plane and having one end pori tion operable through the first named slot for disposition above the table tor engagement and actuation abythe Work, the other end portion ofthe lever extending beneath the table and operable in. the slot in the plate,

an arm pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a verticalplane beneath the,

- table, a head formed integrally on the arm and operable in the slotin the plate, a lug formed integrally on the head andextending laterally therefrom and disposed in the path of travel of said other end portionof the lever i for engagementthereby in a'manner to operat'ively connect the arm to the lever for actu -ation by said lever upon movement of the lever in one direction, an inclined bear mount- I ed transversely beneath the table adjacent the cutter, a guard finger having one end i operatively connected to thef'arm and its f othe r'end portion slidably supported" on the bar, said other endyportion of the guard fin- I ger being operable through the first named beneath the table for engagementvvith the i ate fines-1i. for im n the "s g ng a vertically disposed slot therein mounted I beneath the table in spaced relation to one 7 end of the first named slot, alever pivoted ini 1 movement of said ar'cuate finger under or the impulse of the last named resilient means.

6. A Woodworking machine ofthecharacter described comprising-in combination, an elongated tablethaving a series'of spaced, parallel longitudinally extending slots therein and further having a transverse opening intersectingthe'slots, in spaced relation to the-ends of said slots,a rotary cutter operable in, the opening,a pair ofpivot rods mounted transversely in sp'acedg-relation to each other beneath the] table, a plurality'of levers pivotallyl mounted intermediate their ends on one of the pivot rods, one'end portion of the levers being operable through one end portion of the slots for disposition above the table for, engagement and actuation by the Work onr-thevtable, the other end portions of the levers extending beneath the table,a pluing movement ontheother of the pivot rods,

integral heads on the one end portion of the arms, integral lugs extending laterally from the heads for engagement by said other end necting the arms to the levers for actuation by said levers upon swinging movement of the levers in one direction, atransverse slotted plate mounted vertically beneath the ;table,-the levers and the-heads being oper-ar able in the slots in the plates, aninclined bar tmounted' transversely beneath the table ad- ;jacent the cutter, a'pluralityof guardfingers 1 having one; end pivotally iconnectedf to the arms and'their other endportions slidably' mounted on the inclined bar and operable through the slotsifor disposition above the .cutter, and aiplurality of arcuate guard fingers pivotally mounted beneath the table, and

operable through the other, end portions of the slots for disposition above the cutter.

7 A woodworking machine of. the charac- Vterdescribed comprising,in combination, an elongated table having a series of spaced,

parallellongitudinally extending. slots therein and further having a transverse opening intersecting the slots, in spaced relation to the ends .of said slots', arotary' cutters operable in the opening,: a pair of vpivot 'rods mounted transversely in spaced relation to each other beneath the table, a plurality of levers piv'ot ally mounted intermediate their ends on one ofthe pivot rods, one end portion ofjthe levers beingoperable through-one end portion of the slots 7 for] disposition above the table, theother end portions of the levers arms pivotallymounted forswinging movement on the other of thepivot ro ds,integral heads ontheone end-portion of the arms, int'egral lugs extending laterally" from the heads forienga gement by said other end portions of the levers forjoperatively connecting the arms to the'levers for actuationby said rality of arms pivotally mountedfor swing-- portions ofthelevers for operatively con-- levers 'fup'on, swinging movementof thelevers 'ezitendingrbeneathfthe table, a pluralitybf in one direction, a transverse slotted plate mounted vertically beneath the table, the levers and the heads being operable in the slots in the plates, an inclined bar mounted transversely beneath the table adjacent the cutter, a plurality of guard fingers having one end pivotally connected to the arms and their other end portions slidably mounted on the inclined bar and operable through the slots for disposition above the cutter, and a plurality of arcuate guard fingers pivotally mounted beneath the table and operable through the other end portions of the slots for disposition above the cutter, springs mounted on said other pivot rod and operatively engaged with the arms for swinging said arms in one direction in a manner to shift the first named guard fingers to operative position, springs operatively engaged with the second named guard fingers for yieldingly urging said second named guard fingers toward their operative position, and a rod mounted transversely beneath the table for engagement with the second named guard fingers for limiting the swinging movement thereof under the impulse of the last named springs.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JESSE JAMES TOMPKINS. 

